Fabric-measuring machine



Feb. 12, 1929. 1,701,991

J. L. WHEELER FABRIC MEASURING MACHINE Filed June 12, 1925 4Sheets-Sheet l l waw Feb. 12, 1929.

J. L. WHEELER FABRIC MEASURING MACHINE Filed June 12, 1925 4 Shets-Sheet2 Invent-0r.- aazmnmezw;

Feb. 12, 1929. 1,701,991

J. L. WHEELER FABRIC MEASURING MACHINE Filed June 12, 1925 4Sheets-Sheet 3 O ,Z'7bve ahn I. 747; eels); 1%? .1 4W

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Feb. 12, 1929. 4 1,701,991

- J. L. WHEELER FABRIC MEASURING MACHINE Filed June 12, 1925 4Sheets-Sheet 4 ,Invenim Jkw/Z. mm eZeJ Patented Feb, i122, i929.

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JOHN L. W'IEIEELEE, 0 ST. LOUIS, MISSOURIE, ASSIGNGR OF ONE-HALF TOSUPERIOR BRASS 8r, MFG. 00., 0F ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, CQEPQRATION OFMISSOURI.

FABRIC-MEASUBXItlG MACHINE.

Application filed June 12, 1525. fierial No. 36,869.

for measuring cloth, tape, ribbon, lace, cord or other flexible fabric.its principal ohjects are to produce a simple, compact, economical anddurable structure, which. is practical and will conveniently measure thegoods with accuracy, and at the same time automatically compute theprice according to the length measured; to minimize the liability oferror in reading the measurement scale, and to co-ordinate with themeasurement indicator the price computing device so that it can beconveniently read in conjunction therewith; to produce a novelmeasurement indicator; to produce a novel construction and arrangementof measuring roll and co-operating presser roll so as to obviate thenecessity for providing any spe cial or separate braking device for themeasuring rolhand also to prevent damage to the machine or the goodsbeing measured thereon after the measuring and indicating mechanismshave reached the maximum limit of their operative capacity; to improvegenerally upon machines of this character; and to attain certainadvantages as will hereinafter more fully appear in the followingdescription.

The invention consists in the parts, and in the novel combinations andarrangements of parts as hereinafter described and afterwards pointedout with particularity in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification andillustratiiig a practical adaptation of the invention,

Figure l is a top plan view of the encased, complete machine, theseveral parts of the respective mechanisms of the machine being innormal or unopcrated position;

Figure 2 is a side elevation;

Figure 3 is a view partly in horizontal section through the top portionof the case of the machine on or about the line 3-3 of Figure 2, theexposed mechanism and parts being shown in top plan, and a portion ofthe computing device being broken away and shown in horizontal section;

Figure l is a horizontal section through the machine on or about theline of Figure 2, showing details of the measuring roll and rotatablecylinder of the measure spider used in effecting the tension on themeasuring roll;

Figure 6 is a vertical section through the back portion of the machineon or about the line 66 of Figure 3 illustrating the correlated gearingof the measuring roll, meas urement indicator cylinder and pricecomputing device, together with the presser roll parts and the safetystop for the measure ment indicator cylinder;

Figure 7 is a view partly in horizontal section on or about the line 77of Figure 2 and partly in top plan, showing the presser roll controllingand manipulating mechanism, the arrangement of the main spring, and thesafety stop for the measurment indi cator cylinder Figure 8 is a detailview of the stop with which the latch member of the presser roll rockingframe engages to hold said frame in lowered position;

Figures 9, 10, 11 and 12, are respectively schematic views, on anenlarged scale, illus- 7) affords a table or support for the goods whilebeing run between the measuring roll and presser roll as will be laterdescribed. The frame of the machine may be of any suitable structure,but, preferably, as shown, it comprises side-plates 6, end-plates 7middle longitudinal plate 8, and an intermediate cross-plate 9, theseveral plates hav" cars 10 which are apertured for the reception ofscrews or rivets 11, at convenient intervals, for securing the saidplates together. The plates also have cars at their lower edges, as at12, for attachment to the base-plate 1.

Mounted on a shaft 13, journalled at its opposite ends in the end-plates7, as at 14, 15, respectively, is the measuring roll 16. In thisconnection, it may be here stated that the peripheral measurementoft-his roll equal to one-fourth of a yard, or, in other erably knurledthroughout interposed between the words, nine inches, as; this featureis quite material in the present invention.

This roll has its circumferential face pref- (see Figure 3),

and it is made hollow, as shown in .Figure '4, with a central hubportion 17 having a spider member has its central portion secured bypins or screws23 to the hub 17,

. may be. termed machine.

with its resilient legportions 2 1 bearing against the face of thecollar 20, said leg portions having slots 25 therein for the engagementwith pins 26 projecting from said collar 20. i j

The forward end portion 27 of the shaft 13 is reduced in diameter andscrew-threaded to receive jam nuts 28, 29 which are received in anenlargement of the bore of the hub portionrl'i of the measuring roll,said nuts bearing against the end face of the hub 17 andbeing obviouslyadjustable to vary the compression of the spring tongues or legs 2 f thespider member 22 in order to secure the desired tension or yieldablepressure on the-felt or fibre washer 21 which is interposed between thecollars 19 and 20. In this way, the measuring roll 16, under normalconditions in the operation of the machine, turns with the shaft 13, butwhen an abnor mal condition exists, as in case either the shaft or theroll is held against rotation, the other element may be rotatedindependently thereof. -In other words, the effect of the correlatedparts with the collars 19 and and washer 21, is that of a frictionclutch. Further, by adjusting the collar .19 lengthwise of the shaft 13,obviously the measur ing roll may accordingly be'adjust-ed to dif ferentpositions lengthwise of the shaft should occasion require.

-F1X6(l on or integral with the shaft 13,

on shaft 32, This shaft is journalled at its rear end portion in the endframe member or plate 7, and at its forward end )ortion in thecross-Jlate 9 and it is located 7 7 adjacent to the middlelongitudinalframe one end of which is secured to the plate 9,

as at 34, While its opposite end issecured to the hub of the gear 31, asat 35. This spring the main spring of the Journalled at its ends in theforward and Washer 21, while with numerals O to intervals, the scale 18further marked with at its rear end portion, is a small gear or pin ion30 which is in mesh, with a gear 31 hxed rear frame plates 7 isanorinally stationary and non-rotatiVe shaft 36, which may be tcrmedaspiral cam shaft?" for the reason that itIis provided with ascrew-thread '37 throughout the major portion of its length and on whichthe central hub j portion 38 of a hollow cylinder 39 works, as will bepresently more fully described. Tais shaft has a circular plate or disk40 fixed on its forward end portion (see Figures 3 and 41),

beingengaged at its margin, at

said disk d1ametr1cally-oppos1te points, by screws 41 which clamp it tothe outer face of the plate 7 whereby said shaft is normally held from'rotat1on,yet by loosening the screws 41 it may be turned, at will, toeffect an adjustinent of the cylinder 39 lengthwiseof the shaft asoccasion may require.

The rear end portion 4-2 of the shaft 36 is reduced in diameter andfreely rotatable thereon is a gear 43, said gear being in mesh with thegear 31 on'the shaft 32. This gear ll'has a pair of elongated rods orstuds tl projecting inward therefrom at diametrically-opposite points,said rods or studs being slidably fitted through apertures providedtherefor in the end wall 4-5 of the cylinder 39. By this arrangement,when the is rotated the cylinder 39 is rotated therewi h through theconnection afforded by the rods or studs 44, and the cam shaft 86 beingstationary the cylinder moves lengthwise of said cam shaft,eitherforward or backward, according to the direction ofrotation of thegear 43 and the cylinder 89. V

The cylinder 39, which is an element of the measurement indicator, "hasa series of peripheral, equally spaced-marks or lines, thirty-six ofthem, representing inches and the total of a yard, and accordinglymarked Also, at regular distinguishing characters to indicate eighthsand quarters and half yard. The numeral naught or zero character ispreferably indicated in larger type than the inch indicating numeralsand coincident with this character is a len 'itudinal line 46.

l/lounted on th inner face of the forward frame-plate 7 an arcuate plate41-7, said plate having its inner end portion projected within thecylinder 39 just a sli 'l cc. in the normal or unoperated cone loner thecylinder, and over which the cylinder travels during the operation ofthe machine. This plate l7 (see Figure'ti) has ears 48 which areperforated and screw-tl'ireaded to lC.,1VO securing screws 49 (seeFigure 3) which fasten it to the plate'r'. 1

On thepla-te 47 is a scale, indicated generally by th inuneinl 50; Thisscale coniprises a longitudinal line 51 with which the line 16 on thecylinder 39 coincides in reading the measurements effected by themachine. Crossingthe line 51 is a series of equally spaced lines 52,twelve oi them, rcpened according to the desired capacity of the machineand that the limitation indicated in the drawinos is for the our nosesof illustration only.

Correlated to the respective cross lines are the numerals 1 to 12,inclusive, said numerals being located within circles 53 "which are of adiameter equal to the distance between the respective lines 52-, saidcircles being tangential to'each other and being projected directlylateral and coinciding with the spaces between the lines. his scale isshown more clearly in the enlarged views in l igures 9 to 12, inclusive,of the drawings. Preferably, the respective numerals in the circles areof a height just slightly in excess of one-half the diameter of thecircles, and they are located Well towards the for ard sides of thecircles. 'lhis arrangement is to avoid confusion in reading the scaleduring the process of measuring. That is to say, as the cylinder 39moves forward, the numeral being covered thereby remains for aconsiderable time uncovered in legible state. Extending from therespective cicles 58 to the corners where their respective correlatedlines 52 intersect the longitudinal line 51 are diagonal leader lines 1,the re spective points of intersection of the three lines above notedbeing preferably marked by arrow points or the like The ratio of thegears 30, 31 and 43 is such that for every four complete revolutions ofthe measuring roll 16, the measurement indicator cylinder 39 makes onecomplete revolution. The peripheral measurement of the measuring rolltor each complete revolution being one-quarter of a yard, obviously thecomplete revolution of the cylinder 39 indicates one yard. Therefore,the pitch oi the threads 37 on the cam shaft 36 is accordingly such thatthe cylinder 39 moves forirard on the shaft ust the distance between Fortwo adjacent lines of the scale 50.

cxan'iple, see l igure U. which illustrate normal or Zero position of hemeasurement indicator. Next. by referring to Figure 10, it will be notethat the cylinder 39 has been rotated to hrn the mark indicating theeighths of a yard in register with the line 51 of the scale 50, whichQIVQS the measurement that has been efi'ected by the relative rotationof the measuring roll 16. By reterring to Figure 11, is will be seenthat the cylinder 39 has been rotated one complete turn, therebybringing the naught or zero mark into register with the line 51 of thescale 50, and the edge of the cylinder by indicating that one yard hasbeen measured oil by the roll 16. In this stage, the first circle withits numeral .1 therein is still uncovered. New by referring to Figure12, it Will be noted that the cylinder 39 has been further rotatedthree-quarters of the turn, thereby bringing the mark indicatingthree-quarters of a yard into register With the line 51 of the scale 50,thus indicating that one yard and three-quarters has been measured oilby the measuring roll 16. In this stage, the circle 53 is still inpartial eclipse and remains so until. the cross-line 52 inch *ating twoyards has been reached.

From the foregoing, it will be readily seen that during the operation ofthe machine, the operator is clearly aware that he is Working on theyard, or fraction thereof below or above it, as indicated by the exposedcircle 53 next adjacent to the edge oi the cylinder 39, and that he isstill Working on that particular yard or fraction thereof until thatcircle is completely eclipsed.

Mounted on a supplemental frame 56 which is secured etivcen the middlelongitudinal frame-plate 8 and side-plate 6 and rests at its forwardendon the cross-plate ll, is a price computing device comprising a flexiblestrip or tape 57 on both faces of which are the several pricecomputations as will be presently more clearly described. One endportion of this strip 57 is secured to roll 58 and its opposite endportion is secured to a second roll 59. The roll 59 is rotatable onshaft 60, which latter is norn'ially stationary or non-rotative on thesupplemental frame 56, but is provided at one end with a disk 61, fixedthereto and being clamped to the rear end face of the supplementali'rame by a screw 62. Coiled about this shaft 60 is a spring 63, one endwhich, is obviously fixed to the shalt and its opposite end beingattached to the roll 59, said spring being constantly under tension andtending to turn the roll 59 so as to Wind the said strip 57 thereon andpulling it from the roll 58.

The roll 58 is fixed on a. shaft 64 to rotate therewith, and said shafthas a gear 65 fixed thereon which meshes with an intermediate idler gear66 which is journalled on a stub seat; or stud ti"? on the rearframe-plate 7. The gear lib has tixed or integral therewith,conceittrically. a gear 68 which is in mesh with the pinion 3O onv theshalt 13 oil the measuring roll 16. By this arrangement of gearing, theroll 58 rotated proportionately as the measuring roll 16 is rotated andsimultaneously and co-ordinately With. the measurement indicatorcylinder 39. During thisoperation, the strip 57 drawn 'lrom the roll 59,thereby bringing the computations 57* (see Figure 13) on the upper ofthe strip progressively into view coincident with the first cross line52', therethrough the sight-opening 69 in the coverplate 70 (see Figures1 and 13) o'i'tho-sup plemental frame 56, said computations being readcoordinately with the respective prices per -yard 7l'marked on" thecover-plate 7O aiong the margin of the sight-opening 69.

It is to be here noted that'the strip 57 is wound reversely-on the roll58 in relation to the roll 59, so'that the computations '57 on the'underside t thestrip are brought into View through the sight-opening 72 inthe cover-plate 70 just above the roil 58, said lastmentionedcomputations 57 being read co-ordinatcly with the respectivepricesper yard 73 marked on the cover-plate 70 along the margin 01E thesight-opening 72.

As shown in Figure 13, the illustration indicates that aneven yard hasbeen meas- 7 on such fractional basis.

Located at the front oortion of the ma- 1. ohms and under thesupplemental case section 4 1s a horizontally-hinged yoke or frame 74L-in which is journalled a presser roll 7 which is capable of bearing uponthe under side of the measuring roll 16. This yoke or't'rame 74: ispivoted on a shaft 76 mounted on the upstanding arms 77 of an uprightyoke 78 fixed on the base-plate l,

and coiled about the shaft 76 is a spring 79, one end portion of whichlatter is secured to the arm 77 of the upright yoke 78, while itsopposite end portion is secured to the ad acent arm of the mentionedyoke 74;, said spring being constantly under tension and tending to liftthe yoke 74 and thereby its outer end portion is pie iinger picce orbutton depressing the yoke when it desired to press the presser rollagainst the measuring roll 16. In order to permit the presser roll 75 tocome in Contact with the measuring roll 16, the upper plate 5 of thesupplemental case section 4 isslotted, 0t",

course, to afford ample clearance for the purpose.

One arm of the yoke 7a is extended to the outside of the case. through aslot 80 bet-ween the main case section 2" and. the supplemental casesection at (see i are 2) and on -ided with a for convenience in move thepresse-r roll 7 5 out of engagement with the measuring roll. This handieextension is provided. with al ch eiement 82 havinga flange portion. 83working through a slot provided therefor in the handle lextension and;being engageable in a notch 8a in a bracket member 85 fixed on thebaseplate 1, so. as to reieasably hold the yoke'7t in de 'n'essedposition. The latch member ha a fin 'er- Here or button iortion 86 withs a guide-pin '87 Working through an aperture proi ided therefor in theyoke extension,

and sleeved on this guide-pin, between said yoke extension and thefing'enpiece or button portion 86 is a spring 88 which serves to releashold the latch element 82 in Contact w h the bracket member 85.

'ihepr sser roll 75 is of consinerably smaller diameter that themeasuring roll 16, and by this relation the goodspassed be tween the tworolls in the act of measuring is firmly compressed suiiiciently toeilect the rotation of the measuring roll as the goods is pulled along;and the larger diameter of the measuring roll, in comparison with themeasuringroll of the usual measuring machines or" which the presentventor is aware, affords a, great leverage.

which makes for an easy operation of the measurement indicator mechanismand the price computing mechanism. The reiative smaller diameter of thepresser roll 7 5 makes its leverage such, that whenlt is in contact withor pressing against theineasuring roll, it serves as a brake to preventthe main spring 33 and the cooperating nism and price computingmechanism back and to yieldably hold them in normal con dition. It maybe further stated that in the original assembling of the machine the mamspring 33 1s without tens on. The

parts being assembled, the. measurement roll turned by handtin the samedirection that it turned in the measuring operation,

thereby winding the spring through the connections. When the desiredtension is attained, the presser roll 75 is allowed to come in contactwith the measuring roll 16 which, as above stated, serves as a brakeupon the measuring roll. During this operation, of course, themeasurement indicator cylinder 39 has been moved forward on the cam shaf36, but all that necessary to effect an adjustment of the cylinder backto normal or zero positioiris to release the disk -10 by loosening the s'ews i1 and then turning the sin ft 3, by ivl cyl der 39 i orcd bzwkwardthereon and when the proper position for the cylinder with respect tothe first mark of the scale 50 on the plate 47 has been reached thescrei 41 are tightened to clamp the disk 40 to the framaplate 7. Thisfeature of ich operation the 1 the invention has the further advanta eof changing'the tension of thespring '33, at

wili, as climatic and season changes affect the lubricating oils in theseveral bearings more or less, but to some extent however, and thetension necessarily may require some change at times.

The tension of the spring 63 of the computing mechanism is changedindependently of the main spring 33. This is readily accomplished as theentire mechanism is a separate unit on the supplemental frame 56 whichis removable as such unit from the machine. This spring adjusted, ashereinbetore described, by releasing the screw (32 and turning the disk61 on the shaftso as to either wind or unwind he spring, as the case maybe; and after the desired tension has been attained, the roll 59 may beconveniently held by hand from rotation while the supplemental frame 56is being replaced, which may be readily accomplished, and when the gear65 has been engagcd with the gear 66 the adjustment is thereby held. Atthis time, of course, the strip57 is wound fully on the roll 59, or, inother words, it is in normal or zero condition.

The measurement indicator cylinder 39 is afforded a novel safety Zerostop by provid ing on its rear face a pin or stud 89 which normallyengages the edge portion 90 ot' a yieldable stop element or rock-arm 91(see Figures 6 and 7), which later is mounted on a stub-shaft or stud 92secured to the rear frame-plate 7. This yieldable stop element 91 isnormally held against a stop-pin 93 projecting inward from theframe-plate T, by a spring 9 1. At the opposite side of the member 91 isa limiting stop 95 also projecting from the frame-plate 7 The overlap ofthe stud 89 with relation to the stop element 91 is such that, after thecylinder has made one complete revolution in its operative indicatingdirection, the stud has passed out of the path. of said stop clement.That is to say, said stud, the cylinder moves forward on the camshaft36, is moved out of range of said stop element just betore the cylinderhas completed. its first lull revolution, and thereafter said cylinderis free to continue rotating with out interference of the stop element.

lVl en the presser roll is depressed from engaging relation to themeasuring roll 16, and the cylinder 39 is returned to zero positionunder the power 01" the main spring 33 and spring 63, the stud 89 comesinto contact with the stop element 91, and if there has been developedconsiderable momentum to the cylinder 39 during this action, an abruptstop is avoided because the stop element 91 will yield sufliciently toafford a cushion effect, and the spring 9a, which. is somewhat strongerthan the combined strength of the two springs 38 and 63, immediatelybrings the stop element 91 back to normal position against the stud orstoppin 93 and shock in this action is counteracted, of course, by saidtwo springs 33 and 63. i

Obviously, in the top of the case 2, two sight openin 's 96 and 97 areprovided for the exposure of the measurement indicator and priceindicator, respectively, said openings, of course, being provided withglass or other suitable transparent, protect-lye panels.

It is noted that the correlation of these two sight openings is suchthat the two indications are very conveniently arranged in parallelrelation and easily read.

At the side of the case 2, in the direction the goods is. passed duringthe measuring operation, a shear is provided for cutting or notching thegoods at the termination of the measured length thereof. As shown, theshear comprises a lever-arm 98 which is hinged on a supporting bracket99 secured to the laterally projecting portion 100 of the base-plate 1.This lever-arm 98 has a ,cutting blade 101 attached to its outer face,as by countersunk screws 102, while on the end of the lever-arm is afingcrpiece or button portion 103. Mounted on the base-plate 1, inco-operative relation to the shear-blade 101 is the companion shearelement 104 having a blade similar to the blade 101 secured on its innerface, as by screws 105. It is thus perfectly obvious that the goods maybe sheared by depressing the lerenarm '98, said lGVQT-Etllll beingrestored to raised nor mal position by aspring 106 which is secured atone end to an eye or other suitable fastening 107 to the base-plate 1and at its opposite end to an extension 108 of the leverarm.

lt is readily apparent that an exceedingly simple and practical machineis produced according to the present invention, which may beconveniently manipulated, assures substantially accurate measurement,and minimizes the liability of error in reading the measiufciuientincications and price computations. Also, the friction clutch connectionbetween the measuring roll and its power shaft which drives themeasurement indi' Nor mecl ia isiu and pr ce icompuia tion mechanism, issuch that damage to the mechanism is avoided should any parts he comestopped or blocked, or if the measuring roll is rotated in the wrongdirection. The general construction and arrangement or the mechanismofthe machine is also such that relatively elastic goods, such as lacesand the like, may be measured on the ma chine with reasonable accuracy.Thatis to say, fabric or goods or thischaracter can be drawn between themeasuring roll and presser roll without any appreciable greater degreeof stretching or distortion that is liable to occur in measuring byhand.

In the use of the machine it is placed on a counter or table with itsforward end por Cir tion ahead of the operator; The p resserroll 75 isdepressed from contact with the Incasuring roll and the margin ofrelatively wide goodsyor the entire width of relatively narrow goods orribbon-like strips, as the case may be, is brought through the mouth orhorizontal slot 8 in the case and between the measuring roll and presserroll. The end of the goods is placed co-incident with the "outer face ofthe shear-blade 101, and the latch element 82 is released from engagement with the notch 84: of the bracket member 85, whereupon the presserroll 7 is moved upward under the power of the spring '59 and therebypresses the goods in'contact with the measuring-roll 16. 'lhe operatorthen draws" the goods from left to right until the desired measurementis indicated on the jmeasurement indicator scale 50.

This being accomplished, the shear member 98 is depressed therebysevering or notching'the goods. After the price computatron has beenduly noted in the sight-opening 69 or 72, as the case may be, thepresser roll s depressed and the remainder of the goods removed from themachine. When the pressure'ofjthe presser roll 75 is relieved from themeasuring roll 16, the several parts of the respective mechanlsms of themachine are restored to normal position under the power of the springs33 and 63 as hereinbefore described. 1

In addition to "the feature, hereinbefore' set forth, of having theprice computation meehamsm as a separate and detachable unit in the.machine for the purpose of adjusting the; tension of the spring 63,there is a further and important advantage in the separable unitarrangement, in that units having different price computations may beinterchanged in themachine at will, without disturbing the othermechamsms. hence, should the prices in a particular department,bechanged, as sometimes occurs in the course of business, the case maybe readily removed from thermachine and the price computation unitremoved and another placed in lieu thereof. The same is true in case themachine is transferred to a diiferent department; i Obviously, theentire machine admits of considerable modification without in the leastdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by theappended claims. Therefore, it is not limited to the specificconstruction andarrangement shown in the accompanyingdrawingsa I What isclaimed is: V 1; In a fabric measuring machine, an indicator mechanismcomprising a cam shaft, a hollow cylinder having a central hub portionrotatab-leand movable endwise on said cam shaft, means in gearconnection with a power device for effecting the operation of saidcylinderon said cam shaft proportionindicating the length ately to thelength of the goods measured, a

stationary indicator element co-ordinated with said cylinder andabout'which said cylinder travels in its operation,said c'ylin-' derhaving a scale marked circumferentially at its. forward marginalportion, and said stationary element having a longitudinally disposedscale marked thereonand in' conjunction with which the saidcircumferential scale on said cylinder co-operates to indicate margin,said scale indicating fractions of aprescribed unit of linear measure,and said stationary element having a longitudinal scale on itscircumferential face, said scale comprising a longitudinal lineintersected by equally spaced transverse lines, the distance between therespective transverse lines of the prescribed unit of measure. a p

3. In a fabric'nieasuring machine, a measurement indicator devicecomprising a rotatable and endwise movable, hollow cylinder,

and a' stationary element of arcuate cross: section extendingsubstantially concentric with andlongitudinally in advance of saidcylinder and over 'which said cylinder travels, said cylinder having anannular scale on itscircumference, its forward margin, said scaleindicating one yard for each complete revolution of the cylinder andfractions of a yard on partial rotation thereof, and said stationaryelement having a longitmlinal scale on its circumferential i.ace, saidscale comprising a longitudinal line coinciding with the zero line of.said scale on said cylinder, in the normal unoperated condition of thelatter, a series of equally spaced transverse lines intersecting saidlOP-J'ltudlllfil l ne, the distance between the res: ective transverselines correspondingto the distance said cylinder moves endwise durineach complete revolution thereof and accordingly indicating the lengthof one. yard. 7

4. A measurement indicating device, as set forth in claim 3, and furtherincluding: said st-ation'aryfelementihaving thereon a series ofindicative charactersprogressively numbered in sequence from andincluding 1 up to and including the numeral CQITQV movable, hollow"cylinder,

sponding to the maximum capacity of the device, said indicativecharacters being proected laterally from sald longitudmal line during ofsaid longitudinal scale and ,coincidently with the spaces between therespective trans verse lines thereof.

5. A measurement indicator comprising arotatable and endwise movable,hollow cy1 inder, and a stationary element correlated to said cylinderin concentric relation and over which said cylinder travels endwise itsrotation, said stationary member having a longitudinal scale on itsperipheral face, said scale comprising a longitudinal line, series ofequally spaced transverse lines intersecting said longitudinal line, thedistance between the respective transverse lines corresponding to thedistance said cylinder moves endw' c during each complete revolutionthereof and indicating the length of a prescribed unit of linearmeasure, and said cylinder having on its forward circumferential marginan annular scale indicating the prescribed unit of measure for eachcomplete revolution of the cylinder and fractions of said unit ofmeasure on partial rotation thereof, the zero mark of said annular scalecoinciding with the longitudinal line of said first mentioned scale inthe normal unoperated condition of the cylinder and at the terminationof each complete revolution thereof.

6. A measurement indicator comprising a rotatable and ondwise movable,hollow cylinder, and a stationary element juxtaposed in longitudinallyco-operative relation to said cylinder and having a longitudinal scaleon its face, over which said cylinder travels said scale com arisin alon itudinal.

line, a series of equally spaced transverse lines intersecting said.longitudinal line, the distance between the respective trans verse linescorresponding to the distance said cylinder moves endwise during eachcomplete revolution thereof and indicating the length of a prescsribedunit of linear measure, an indicative series of frames projectedlaterally from said longitudinal line, coincidently with the respectivespaces between the transverse lines, said frames being tangential toeach other in a parallel row with respect to said longitudinal line andhaving respectively marked therein the corresponding numbers of thespaces sequentially from 1 to that of the maximum capacity of thedevice. I

7. In measurement indicator, set forth in claim 6, and furthercomprising a series of leader lines extending from the forward portionsof said frames to their correlated transverse linesand to the respectivecorners where said transverse lines intersect said longitudinal line.

8. A measurement indicator comprising a rotatable and endwise movable,hollow cylinder, and a stationary element juxtaposed in longitudinallycooperative relation to said cylinder and having a longitudinal scale onface, over which said cylinder travels, said scale comprising alongitudinal line, a series of equally spacedtransversc linesintersecting said longitudinal line, the dis lance between therespective transverse lines corresponding to the distance said cylindertravels endwise during each complete revolution thereof and indicatingthe length of a prescribed unit of linear measure, an indieative seriesof marked circles arranged tan gentially to each other and in a parallelrow with respect to said longitudinal line, said circles beingrespectively projected laterally from said longitudinal line andcoincidently with the spaces between said transverse lines and havingmarked thereiuthe corresponding numbers of the respective spacessequentially from 1 to that of the maximum capacity of the device, and aseries of diagonalleader lines extending substantially tangential fromthe upper portions of therespective circles to their correlatedtransverse lines and to the respective corners where said transverselines intersect said longitudinal line.

9. In a fabric measuring machine, a measurement indicator comprising anormally stationary cam shaft having a screw thread thereon, a hollowcylinder having a central hub portion threaded on said cam shaft, arotatable freely in fixed longitudinal position about said cam shaft,means slidably connecting said gear and said cylinder whereby to ef ectthe rotation of said cylinder and at the same time permit its endwisemovement on said cam shaft, and actuating means operable by the movementof the goods being measured for driving said gear, said actuating meansincluding a train of gears connecting said first mentioned gear wherebyto effect an automatic and synchro nous rotation of the latter.

10. A fabric measuring machine, as set forth in claim 9, and furthercomprising aspring element incorporated in said aciuahig means andacting to normally hold said cylinder yieldably in starting position sunto restore it to such position when relieved from the power of saidactuating means.

11. In a fabric measuring machine an indicator device comprising arotatable and endwise movable cylinder, spring-returned means foroperating said cylinder, and means for positioning said cylinder in itsrormal condition comprising a stud projecting from the rear end of thecylinder, and a spring-retracted member normally engaged by said studbut from the range of which said stud passes just prior to thecompletion of the first revolution of said cylinder upon its operationfrom normal position, the spring power of said spring-retracted memherbeing in excess of that of said springreturned means for operating saidcylinder.

12. In a fabric measuring machine, an indicator cylinder, means foreilecting a simultaneous rotation and endvvise movement of saidcylinder, a spring for restoring said cylinder to normal position, andmeans for yieldably stopping said cylinder at normal position comprisinstud projecting from the end or 'the cyli (Zena rock-armswingabletransversely of said cylinder whereby to be engaged by saidstud, a limiting stop ior paid rock-arm in its normal position, a secondstop at the opposite side of said rockarni, and a spring for yieldablyholding said rock-arm against said first mentioned limiting stop, saidspring being of power in excess of that of the spring for restoring saidcylinder to normal position.

13 in a measuring device oi the character described, a rotary and'endWise movable mea,nrement-indieating clement a stud on the end ofsaid measurement-indicating element, arlin iiting stop elementreleasably engaged b'y said stud in the normal starting position of saidmeasuren1ent-indicairing element, means for simultaneously rotating andmoving said measurement-i ndicati n element endwise from startingposition and out oi engagement with said limiting stop before lhecomplete rotation of said measure iicating element, and means forreturning said measurement-indicating element to starting position withreverse rotary and QBClWiSG movement and into engagement with saidlimiting stop at the completion of final rotation of saidmeasurement-indicat ing element.

i i. In a machine for measuring the length of fabric, a rotary andcndwise movable measurement-indicating element, a yieldable stop elementreleasably engaged by said mes rsurement-indieating element in. thenormal starting position of the latter, means actuated by the movementof the fabric being measured for rotating said measurement-indicatingelement, cooperating means for moving said ineasurement-indicatingelement endwisc from starting position and out oi engaging range fromsaid stop element during its rotation, and cooperating moans energizedduring the said actuation of said measurementdndicating element andreactin dto reverse the operation of said other two mentioned actuatingmeans for return stop element.

'15. In a measuring device of the character I described, an indicatingelement simultane ously rotatable and axially movable from startingPOSllSIOIl, mechanism fGPLCillntlilg-g said element and movingit fromstarting oositon said mechanism includin a s rin I 7 D D that is Woundduring such actuation and re acting to restore said element to startingposition, and means for restoring said indiously rotating ans 1 ing aing said measurementindicating element to starting position andengagement w th said entl of said actuatin mechanism after or)- orationtherefrom.

16; In a measuring device of the character described, a rotatable andendivise movable indicator element, means for simultane- 1 moving saidindicator endwise fronr starting position, a

ng with said indielement spring element cooperati cater element movingmeans whereby to be energized during the forcible operation of thelatter in moving said indicatorelement from starting position andreacting to reverse-1y operatersaid indicator element mov-' ing means toreturn said. indicator element to starting posi iornaznl means forreturin ing said indicator element from actuated to star ting POE l onfree of the act-ion of said spring element and without reaction of saidmeans which moved it from starting position.

17; A machine for meas of fabric, comprising a rotary elementhavcircumfere i'ially extending scale thereon, a cooperating elementextending parallel with the axis of said rotary element and having alongitudinal scale thereon in correlation to thescale on said rotaryelement, one of said elements being movable ondwise and means actuatedby the movement of the fabric being measured for auto maticallyeffecting the simultaneous rotation of said rotary element anda relativeendu ing the length wise movement between it and said coopers atingelement. l e y 18. A machine for measring the length of fabric,comprisin a rotary andendwise movable element having a circumferentiallyextending scale thereon, a relativ-ly stationary element having a scaleextending lengthwise of the of the rotary element and in correlation tothe'scale on said rotary element, and means actuated by themovementof'the fabric b ling measured for automaticlly rotating saidrotary element ani'; sinn neously moving endw'ise it is rotates.

19. A machine for of fabric, comprising movable elementhavinannular-scale on its circunii'erential end portion, said scale nieasurinthe length being divided to indicate fractions of a unit of linearmeasure, av relatively stationary elenientjhaving a longitudinalscalethereon parallel with the axis of said rotary'element, said longitud nalsoale being divided to indicateithe r ective full units as'frsctionizodby the divisions of said annular scale on said rotary element andfunctioning correlatively therewith, and means through which the fabricis passed linearly to be measured, said'means being operably connectedwith said'rotary element whereby to automatically and synchronouslyrotate the latter and simultaneously move it endw'ise,

a rotary and endwisc and said rotary element, as it moves from startingposition, gradually covering and concealing the scale on said stationaryelement.

20. A machine for measuring the length of fabric, comprising a rotaryand endwise movable element having a circumferentially extending scalethereon, said scale being divided to indicate fractions of a unit oflinear measure, a relatively stationary element having a scale extendinglengthwise of the axis of said rotary element, said last mentioned scalebeing divided to indicate the respective full units as t'ractionized bythe divisions of said scale on said rotary element, means through whichthe fabric is passed linearly to be measured, said means being operablyconnected with said rotary element whereby the latter is automaticallyrotated and simultaneously moved endvvise from starting position andthroughout the measuring operation upon the fabric, said rotary elementgradually covering and concealing the scale on said stationary elementduring such actuation, and means'for automatically returning said rotaryelement to starting position when relieved of the power of said meanswhich actuates it from such position.

21. A machine for measuring the length of fabric, comprising a rotaryelement having a circumferentially extending scale thereon, acooperative element having a scale thereon, one of said elements beingmovable endwise, and means actuated by the movement of the fabric beingmeasured for automatically effecting the simultaneous rotation of saidrotary element and a relatlve endwise movement between 1t and saldcooperative element.

JOHN L. WHEELER;

